Time Capsule: Hugh Siegel's Navy Uniform

In observation of Veteran's Day, I would like to once more share this piece of history.

One day in April 2012 I was cleaning out the crawl space above the stairs in my Grandma's house that we called her "attic." It was a pretty scary place, with cobwebs almost as thick as the fake ones you buy in Halloween stores.  Through the choking dust I saw two very large pretzel cans. Wondering what could be in them, I carefully rolled them down the ladder.  As I pried the lids off, I instantly realized I was opening a time capsule.  Inside each was a blue World War II US Navy uniform, with the shoulder patch of an eagle and three lightning bolts for Radioman Third Class. The submarine Dolphins patch is on the right cuff. Unmistakable as that of Hugh Siegel's.

They were put away fresh and still smelled like they were steam cleaned last week. He was very clever to store them in these airtight metal cans. The one I brought home is in pristine condition, with no moth holes or decay whatsoever.

What surprised me about these? He was smaller than I thought.

The lightning bolts was the symbol for Radioman.
This is not a common patch that turns up in collections of Navy patches.

Finalized Dace & Darter Patch Designs

I could have posted these a long time ago. These are the actual embroidered patches my grandfather designed and produced for the US Navy WWII Sub Veteran reunions.  I have one of each in my possession.

 He designed both. I love these. The patches are really big, about the size of the bottom of a coffee can.

Hugh's commemorative patch for the Dace-Darter rescue designed for the reunions.

Go Here for the earlier post of his preliminary sketches for the Darter patch...

...And the Dace patch designs can be found Here.

Hugh's efforts were invaluable after the war in organizing reunions and keeping his former crewmates together. He was very proud of his service and these patches were a great way to commemorate their unique experience. Other submarine crews made patches like this, but but I think this is special because I have the ones my grandfather designed.

June 16, 1995 - 20 Years Ago Today

Historical Image Archive

U.S. Navy sailors doing open order M1 rifle drill, presenting before an unidentified officer. 
Undated photo from Hugh's collection. Most likely in Australia.

The DARTER Submarine II (SS-576)

A Navy publication photo of SS-576, taken sometimes in the 1970's.

"In October 1956, thirteen years after the original DARTER (SS-227) was commissioned, the new DARTER (SS-576) was commissioned at Electric Boat Company, Groton, Connecticut. 

Since her construction, DARTER (SS-576) has continually undergone modernization and conversion to make her performance comparable to the newest submarines of her type.

The new DARTER has been homeported at New London, Connecticut; Charleston, South Carolina; San Diego, California and most recently Sasebo, Japan. She has seen service in the North Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Western Pacific.

Statistically, the new DARTER is 285 feet long, has a beam of 27 feet, displaces 2,050 tons, and is propelled by diesel-electric drive through twin propellers. Her complement is 75 men and 3 officers."



The new USS DARTER remained in service through 1981, a career spanning almost 30 years. There is a letter dated 1981, in which the Skipper of SS-576 requested a copy of the famous photograph of the SS-227 aground on Bombay Shoal.  Hugh personally saw to it that the SKipper obtained a copy, which was framed and kept in the officer's quarters. 

The new DARTER sub was decommissioned October 6, 1989.  My grandfather was invited to the ceremony and recorded a VHS video of the occasion. Maybe someday I will put this on Youtube.

The officers of the SS-576 awarded Hugh with a wood and bronze plaque bearing the coat-of-arms of the new ship, which he kept in his living room next to the USS MENHADEN one.

A personally autographed photo of the USS-DARTER SS-576 from 1981.

Hugh's commemorative beer stein decorated with the seal of the submarine.

Veteran's Day

I will never know the full story of what you saw or what you did in service to our country, but I am grateful to be the grandson of a veteran. I will always look up to you as I always have, and honor your memory by keeping the past alive. 

Thank you. 

H.N.S. 1919-1995

Served 1942-1975

DARTER crew group photos 1943

I apologize for being lax on updating this blog recently.  There is still so much left to share.

Two recently scanned photos of the DARTER crew, dated September 1943. Formal (dress blues) and informal (sailors with their girlfriends).  Who knows, maybe somebody's grandparents are in this photo!